Fuel Allowance Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Ceisteanna (487)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

487. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people in receipt of the smokeless fuel allowance in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current number in receipt broken down by county; the total costs of the payment in 2010, 2011 and estimated total costs in 2012; her plans for the future of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5771/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Smokeless Fuel Allowance was an extra allowance paid by my Department to low-income households to help them meet the extra costs of using smokeless or low smoke fuels in certain parts of the country. This allowance was abolished from 1 September 2011. Information regarding the allowance’s recipients or its cost was not segregated from the statistics of the schemes under which it was paid prior to its abolition.

Question No. 488 answered with Question No. 460.

Questions Nos. 489 to 491, inclusive, answered with Question No. 449.